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N'Djamena schools closed over helmet protests

N'Djamena schools closed over helmet protests

(AFP (eng) 03/11/15)

N'Djamena schools closed over helmet protests

Schools and universities in the Chadian capital were closed on Tuesday and will remain shut "until further notice", the government said after student rallies against motorcycle helmet laws left at least one person dead.

The closure comes a day after students took to the streets to protest against a rise in helmet prices ever since their use became obligatory in N'Djamena early this month.

The protesters set fire to several vehicles and blocked access to schools and universities, an AFP journalist said.

Clashes broke out after security forces used tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Hospital officials contacted by AFP said "three people were killed, and several others were injured".

However, police spokesman Paul Manga said one young man had been killed.